One of my first posts on Active Rain – about a year ago - was about “Shedding Light on a Dim Real Estate Market.” It was an attempt to get out there and provide some optimism in a market where the media continually promoted pessimism. Today, I’m happy to say things are looking up. Perhaps you’ve read the stories I’ve read, but in case you haven’t I’m going to provide some more optimistic news - not based on my opinion, but on articles and other posts I’ve come across.

Here are some of the latest headlines:

From “REALTOR Magazine Online: ”Buyer Hesitation Is Dissolving” by Robert Freeman, September 2009 “After years of concern over the direction of home prices, buyers are returning to the market. After 4 years of declines, home sales on a national basis finally appear to be turning around. Closed sales, which have risen three straight months, and pending contracts, up for five straight months, are at levels above normal spring & summer increases. . . . Buyers are no longer hesitant about home purchases on the fear of further price declines. And that sets the stage for a steady release of pent-up housing demand.” Source: http://www.realtor.org/rmonews_and_commentary/Economy/0909_economy_buyerhesitation

From “The Wall Street Journal:” Economists Reach: “Breadth of Gains Was Impressive” 8/25/09 “Not only are housing prices stabilizing, they are starting to grow. The three most widely used yardsticks for measuring housing prices (The National Association of REALTOR’S median price, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) price indexes and the Case-Shiller price indexes) are telling a similar story.” – Patrick Newport, economist at HIS Global Insight Source: http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2009/08/25/economists-react-breadth-of-gains-was-impressive/

From RISMedia: “Positive Signs: Home Prices on an Upswing in Second Quarter 2009” 8/26/09 “For the second month in a row, we’re seeing some positive signs,” says David M. Blitzer, Chairman of the Index Committee at Standard & Poor’s. “….there are hints of an upward turn from a bottom . . . “ Source: http://rismedia.com/2009-08-25/positive-signs-home-prices-on-an-upswing-in-second-quarter-2009/

From MSNBC.com/The Associated Press: “Home prices post first quarterly rise in 3 years” 8/25/09 “The Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller’s U.S. National Home Price Index released Tuesday rose nearly 3 percent from the first quarter . . . The monthly index of 20 major cities increased 1.4 percent from May to June to 142, the 2nd straight month the index registered a gain. Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32550874/ns/business-real_estate/

From “the Wall Street Journal: ”A Toe in the Water" by Dave Kansas “Real estate is starting to look cheap enough to buy. Or at least think about buying. . . . Those fortunate people who have weathered the storm are emerging from their fetal crouch and starting to think more about taking some investment risks. . . . they seem to be heading for real estate (vs. stock market).” Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204271104574290650401076352.html

Thank you to those who continue to stay on top of the statistics and report good news. As always, I’ll do my best to seek out positive comments to report and pass onto my clients (both buyers & sellers). Here’s to shining a bright light on what has been a dim real estate market.

If you have positive information you'd like to share, feel free to respond to this post. I look forward to hearing from you.

Mahalo

Debra A. Jason, RA, ABR
Na Pali Properties, Inc.

When paradise is calling you, call me!

(808) 826 1846 cell: (808) 635 8031

www.kauaihawaii-realestate.com